Elections in Held-Kashmir an effort to deceive world: Mirwaiz
Pakistan Times Kashmir Desk

ISLAMABAD: Senior Kashmiri Leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said Indian announcement about holding of Local bodies elections in Indian Held Kashmir (IHK) is just an effort to deceive international community.

Talking to a Pakistani private TV channel he said elections, either local bodies or for assemblies cannot bring change in the existing critical situation of the Indian held valley.

Indian government has been holding sham elections in occupied Kashmir for last over 56 years but neither the dispute could be resolved nor India will ever be able to do so through this way. He said like other elections these too will not benefit the Indian government as Kashmiris have nothing to do with the process.

Mirwaiz said that parties working under Indian patronage have also called the effort as futile. To a question he said until the Kashmir problem is resolved the situation in the valley cannot become normal. He said through these ways Indian government wanted to divert world attention from the main dispute.

Mirwaiz urged the Indian government that it should give to the Kashmiri people their right to self-determination. He said Indian government should take solid steps to mitigate the plight of Kashmiris who are living under miserable conditions.

Serious and sincere efforts will have to be made by the Indian government to resolve the Kashmir dispute, he added.●